Burglars target Fort Walton Beach businesses

Published: Monday, June 2, 2014 at 05:38 PM.

FORT WALTON BEACH — Police are investigating a string of burglaries at downtown businesses that began on Friday.

Capt. Bill Royal with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department said at least five stores along the downtown strip were broken into after the businesses closed for the day.

The burglars mostly took cash, but some merchandise was also stolen, he said.

3 Dogs and a Chick and Shangri-La Vintage Boutique were hit on Friday, while Maas Coffee Roasters on Saturday and Cupcakery by the Sea were robbed on Sunday.

On Monday morning, an employee arrived at Dennis & Company, a high-end men’s clothing store, and found a window smashed.

Burglars had taken the cash register and done a “snatch-and-grab” of several armfuls of clothing, said owner Dennis Reeves.

“Obviously I believe it’s the same perpetrators as at the other stores,” Reeves said.

Royal said the investigation was going well and police had some leads on suspects, but declined to release further information. The department has had officers in the area since the burglaries began, he said.

“We’ve been doing that the whole time, but some people are seen and some people aren’t.”

On Monday, an officer contacted area businesses to let them know what was going on and give crime prevention tips.

Reeves said the burglary was disconcerting, but he understands it can be part of doing business. He plans to update his security measures.

FORT WALTON BEACH — Police are investigating a string of burglaries at downtown businesses that began on Friday.

Capt. Bill Royal with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department said at least five stores along the downtown strip were broken into after the businesses closed for the day.

The burglars mostly took cash, but some merchandise was also stolen, he said.

3 Dogs and a Chick and Shangri-La Vintage Boutique were hit on Friday, while Maas Coffee Roasters on Saturday and Cupcakery by the Sea were robbed on Sunday.

On Monday morning, an employee arrived at Dennis & Company, a high-end men’s clothing store, and found a window smashed.

Burglars had taken the cash register and done a “snatch-and-grab” of several armfuls of clothing, said owner Dennis Reeves.

“Obviously I believe it’s the same perpetrators as at the other stores,” Reeves said.

Royal said the investigation was going well and police had some leads on suspects, but declined to release further information. The department has had officers in the area since the burglaries began, he said.

“We’ve been doing that the whole time, but some people are seen and some people aren’t.”

On Monday, an officer contacted area businesses to let them know what was going on and give crime prevention tips.

Reeves said the burglary was disconcerting, but he understands it can be part of doing business. He plans to update his security measures.